Salt Lake City Fishing Report: Dawn Bite, Alpine Trout, and Basin Bass Action

This is Artificial Lure with your Salt Lake City fishing report. We don’t worry about tides up here along the Wasatch Front—these are stillwaters and rivers—so let’s talk conditions. The National Weather Service is calling for a warm, mostly clear day around the valley, light winds in the morning with a typical afternoon breeze picking up. Air temps are running from the upper 50s at first light into the upper 80s later, so plan on a cool dawn bite and a slower mid‑day lull. Sunrise is right around 5:55 a.m., sunset near 9:05 p.m., giving you a long low‑light window to work. Water levels on the local creeks and rivers are settling down from runoff but still a bit pushy in spots. That stain is actually helping the trout: they’re less spooky and hugging soft edges, seams, and undercut banks. Up on the alpine reservoirs and community ponds, clarity is decent to good, with a light algae tint in the shallows as the water warms. Recent reports from local shops and DWR creel checks say anglers are putting good numbers of **rainbow trout** and **cutthroats** in the net on the Weber and the middle Provo, with a mix of **browns** in the deeper runs. Around the valley ponds—places like Willow, Bountiful Lake, and Jensen—folks are catching **rainbows**, **bluegill**, **largemouth bass**, and the occasional **channel catfish**. Jordanelle and Deer Creek have been giving up **smallmouth bass** and **walleye**, plus planter bows along the banks. Fish activity has been best early and late. On the rivers, a mix of caddis and PMDs is in play, with fish rising in the softer water as the sun stays low. Mid‑day, nymphing is the ticket. On the stillwaters and ponds, bass and bluegill are tight to structure—reeds, rocks, docks—and cruising the first drop‑off. Trout are cruising shorelines and inlets, especially where a little cold water is trickling in. Best lures and baits right now: - For trout on rivers: small **Euro‑style nymphs**, pheasant tails, and tungsten perdigons under an indicator, plus elk‑hair caddis and small parachute PMDs in the evenings. Spin anglers should run **1/8‑oz Panther Martins, Rooster Tails**, or small silver Kastmasters in the seams. - For trout in ponds and reservoirs: **PowerBait in chartreuse or garlic**, nightcrawlers under a bobber, and small silver or gold spoons and in‑line spinners worked slow along the bank. - For bass and panfish: **2–3 inch soft‑plastic swimbaits**, curly‑tail grubs, and Ned rigs in green pumpkin, or small **topwater poppers** and frogs at first and last light. For kids and relaxed fishing, you can’t beat a piece of worm under a small float around cover. A couple of hot spots to circle: - **Community ponds north of town**: Bountiful Lake and Jensen Nature Park Pond have been steady producers for stocked trout and panfish, with cats showing after dark on cut bait and shrimp. - **Deer Creek and Jordanelle Reservoirs**: Work rocky points and shorelines for smallmouth with tube jigs and dropshots, and troll or cast small crankbaits and spoons for trout and the occasional walleye when the light is low. Hit it early, hydrate, and be mindful of afternoon winds building chop on the big reservoirs. Wherever you go, pack out your trash and give other anglers a little elbow room—the fish will move, and so can we. Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a report. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn